By Olaitan Ibrahim
The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has suspended a senior government official, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, for claiming that Kebbi and Sokoto states have the highest numbers of registered gays and lesbians.
The indefinite suspension was confirmed on Friday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris.
A letter from the Kebbi State Head of Service, Malami Shekare, stated that Kigo’s comments violated civil service rules and amounted to “social misconduct” that tarnished the state’s reputation.
“The statement is misleading and unacceptable in a morally decent society. The official is to remain suspended pending an investigation.”
Kigo, a permanent secretary and Islamic cleric, made the remark during a Ramadan seminar at Adamu Aliero Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi.
The state government has since distanced itself from his claims, calling them “fictitious and baseless.”